Portland officials filed a $2.5 million lawsuit on Wednesday in U.S. District Court against HomeAway.com Inc. for violations of the city's short-term rental code, according to a news release issued by the Office of Management and Finance.

The city on Tuesday also ordered HomeAway.com and affiliate VRBO.com to cease and desist listing short-term rental properties in Portland, officials said.

The city accused HomeAway.com of failing to collect Portland and Multnomah County hotel taxes; failing to provide the Revenue Division with names and addresses of local hosts upon request; failing to display the permit numbers for short-term rentals to demonstrate completion of health and safety inspections; and failing to register with the Revenue Division within 15 days of commencing business.

"We will not stand by while short-term rental websites flout basic consumer protection and tax laws," said Revenue Division Director Thomas Lannom in the release. "We offered to work with, and later repeatedly warned HomeAway.com about its obligations under Portland city code. We now find ourselves in the position of needing to take more forceful action."

The city has also assessed fines of more than $1 million against eight other short-term rental websites, officials said in the release. The city anticipates taking additional action against some of those sites, as well.

More than 130 short-term rental hosts have been warned by the city about complying with the law. At least 50 hosts face penalties of $500 or more, according to the release.

Matt Curtis, HomeAway.com's director of government relations, said in a written statement that the company does not comment on pending litigation.

"However, our goal in Portland, and all other municipalities for that matter, has always been to work collaboratively with lawmakers to introduce fair regulation that balances the needs of the community with the rights of property owners, residents and travelers," Curtis said. "HomeAway has repeatedly offered to assist the city of Portland, and other cities, in collecting taxes that have been properly assessed and is disappointed that the city has chosen not to engage us to find a solution."